Armi San Marcos 1861 Springfield

[Evil Dog]

I finally found a minie that will shoot reasonably to the point of aim with this musket (the RCBS 500gr). I still have what feels like a 20 pound trigger pull though. Talked to my local gunsmith about it and he wasn't all that impressed with the ASM lockwork. Said that it was made from a fairly soft metal and that the hardening was pretty thin. I mentioned using Kasenit as an option for rehardening the sear after polishing and he wasn't too thrilled with that combination either... once again due to the metal ASM uses. Seems to feel the best option would be to just get used to it. Hmm... he's the best gunsmith in town too !!!

Problem is that the 20 pound trigger pull is just more than I would care to put up with. Polish the sear face, Kasenit if it seems necessary and reduce the sear spring width by 1/4. That SHOULD help a goodly bit.

Any of you have similar experience with the ASM 1861? How did you solve?

Thanks.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

IMHO, don't bother with Kasenit, it is for case-hardening puposes.

Original sears were quenched hardened, usually in oil.

Assuming that your sear is shaped properly with proper nose and no casting mold lines that need addressed, you can heat the sear with a propane torch until red-orange, and swish it around in a tin can with some automotive oil in it (do it outside, it makes foul white smoke).


Your trigger pull is also dependent upon the relationship, depth, and shape of the tumbler's full cock notch that the sear tipor nose rests in. When it is mishapen, and/or too deep, it requires greater trigger pull to pull it out and allow the tumbler to rotate. And, and...
The stiffness of the sear spring as well as main spring also plays a part in a happy lock.
Etc., etc.

:)

CHS